Table football game



Feb, 12, 1929. 1,701,655

J. H. ANnREws TABLE FOOTBALL GAME Filed Sept. 29. 1926 2 Sheets--Sheerl l [T mi Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,655

J. H. ANDREWS TABLE FOOTBALL GAME Filed sept. 29. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 D 1 v ge, .Jll

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STATES JOHN HARRIS ANDREWS, OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA.

TABLE FOOTBALL GAME.

Application led September 29, 1926. Serial No. 138,363.

This invention relates to a table toot ball plays.

game which is designed to afford amusement and pleasure to the participants and a knowledge ot' the gaine.

The invention compri'ses the novel features and combinations hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and dei'ined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views:

Figure l is a plan View of a plat containing a simulation of a foot ball field.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are plan Views of cards used to start the game.

Figures G, 7 and 8 illustrate combinations of cards used after play has started.

In Figure l, there is shown a plat 1, bear- 4 ing a simulation of a toot ball h'eld marked by lines spaced five yards apart. Between these lines are numbers l., 2, 3 and 4 upon which the ball 9 is adapted to be placed to'indicate the gain past a iive yard mark. Thus if the ball which is herein designated as the movable object, is advanced three yards past a tive yard line, the object will be placed over the 3.

Upon one side of the field there is a series of circles 2 bearing the numerals l, 2, 3 and 4. A coin or device is adapted to be placed in a circle to denote the lown. Upon the opposite sides of the field, are a series of consecutive numbers 3 which may be used to indicate the yardage gained. Upon the ends of i the plat are the goal posts 4.

The game is played with cards. Two decks or series of cards are provided for each side. There is a series of green cards for the offensive side to begin play, which may be termed the kick off cards. A pair of such cards 5 and G are shown in Figures 2 and 4; one indicates a kick ott' to the 2O yard line, while the other indicates a kick to the 5 yard line.

The defensive side is also provided with a. series of green cards 7 and 8, shown in F igures 3 and 5, which may be termed the return kick-oit' series for indicating the play resulting from a kick-oft'. Thus, green card T indicates that a fair catch has been made, while green card 8 shows that the kick-ofi' has been returned iitteen yards. It will ot course be 'understood that each series of such green cards will cont-ain any desired number according to the variety of possible Only two cards of each series have been illustrated.

As soon as lthe ball has been put in play as above related, its further progress is governed by means oi' two other seriesio'li cards, one series` lor the oli'ensive side and the other for the defensive side. Certain ot such cards are shown in Figures 6 to 8. In order to distinguish these two series, they are pref crably of dil'l'erent colors. In the present instance, the series of cards for the offensive side are shown as being white while the series of cards for the defensive side are shown as pink or red. These series ot cards are consecutively numbered and each series may contain anydesired number of cards according to the variety of plays thatv might arise. Certain of the pink cards have. two numbers as 31 32 responds to either white card 3l or 32, as illus` shown in Figures G and 7. Thus pink cardtrated in the combination in Figure (l, and

pink card responds to either white card l or 2 as shown in Figure 7. For each white card, there is one or more corresponding pink cards to reduce or cut down the distance that the object is advanced. Thus, pink card 39 corresponds to white card 39 and should be played against such card it' possible.

The series of white cards and the series of pink cards are correspondingly numbered. The defensive side must respond with a card bearing the same number as that played by the offensive side it it has a corresponding number in its hand. In the drawing, only a few cards of each series are illustrated. The white cards denote the play. The pink cards, however, control the white cards. For eX- ample, if the oliensive side plays either white card number l or number 2, denoting respectively 2 and 4 yards around right end,`the defensive side may play pink card indicating that only one yard has been gained, provided of course that the defensive side has the card-# in its hand. The pink cards control.

It will be noted with reference to Figure 8, that the pink series and white series of cards are atleast 39 in number. The others are not illustrated since they may be produced by anyone conversant with the foot ball game in accordance with the disclosure herein.

The game may be played by two opponents or any number. In starting the game, a coin is tossed up to decide which side shall kick ott. The side that kicks ott, shuiiies the series of return kick-oli"7 cards while the other.

side shuttles the kick-ott cards. These cards are placed face down upon the table. The side to kick oll' draws a card from the kick-ofi cards7 to indicate the play, the side that receives the kick-oft then draws a card from the return kick-oit cards to determine the return play. The object 9 may be placed upon the plat i to indicate the position of the ball and a coin may be positioned in number 1 circle to indicate the iirst down. This is repeated at the start of each game and the beginning ot' each half, and after each touchdown.

The man or side that receives the kick-oit assumes the offensive and the same shuiiles the pink cards and deals twelve thereof to the defensive side. rfhe defensive side then shufies the white cards and deals six to the offensive side. The offensive side will then play one of the six cards dealt. Assume this card to be No. 2, 4 yards right end. If the defensive hand contains cards it will play card, it must discard a card. If it has any doubled numbered card, as for example 71),

it must discard it first. After each play, each side will draw a card from its respective deck to maintain the same number as when play started.

It the ball or object is not advanced 10 yards in four downs, it goes to the opposite side. The white and pink cards are again shuiiled and dealt, six white cards to the offensive side and twelve pink cards to the defensive side. The oiensive side will then play a card, and the defensive side must reply with a card of the same number if contained in the hand, otherwise it must discard a card as before explained.

lVhen a punt is made that goes over the goal line, the ball is put in play on the twenty yard line and goes into possession of the side receiving the punt. l

It at any time, the cards are used up by the ball going back and forth while in the possession ot the same side, they should be shuffled again. The game may be set at forty minutes, so that each hal'l' may be twenty minute, or any arbitrary time period may be use After a touch-down, the ball is brought out to the ten yard line and one play 'allowed for extra points. This may be a place kiek, a pass, line play or a drop kick. The opposite side has one play to stop it.

This game not only affords amusement and pleasure, but it is also instructive in teaching the 'game Besides, it greatly improves the memory as it is necessary to remember the discarded cards.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention In a table toot ball game, a plat simulating a football field, an object movable on said plat to indicate the results ot the plays, a set of oiiense cards playable by the side having possession ot' the ball, and a set of defense cards playable by the other side and of a color distinguishing them from the offense cards, each of said oliiense cards having a legend thereon deiining a play and also having indicia thereon corresponding to indicia on one of said defense cards, each of said defense cards having a legend thereon defining a play controlling a play defined by an oifense card having similar indicia, and certain of said defense cards having indicia similar to that of two oiiense cards, so that the defense cards are playable only when their indicia are similar to that on the cards played by the oii'ense.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed Iny name.

JOHN HARRIS ANDREWS. 

